THE ALAMO EXPRESS
[San Antonio, TX]
August 18, 1860 - May 3, 1861
Note: very
poor copy
ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], August 18, 1860, p. 2, c.
1
To the Reading Public.—For many reasons we consider good, we present to
you the "Alamo Express" for your inspection and, we hope, approval.
We commence this little enterprise under almost the same auspices we did
the present Herald of our city some five years ago.
In this connection we would say, that the Herald has fallen into
speculating hands, has deserted the ways of righteousness and political honesty,
and turned down the broad road of political sin.
It has turned a complete flip flop into the extreme little end of
democracy.
Politically, we are in favor of an opposition to secession and disunion
whether headed by Lincoln or Breckinridge.
We are for the "Constitution, the Union and the enforcement of the
laws," a platform broad enough to hold every American citizen within the
borders of our great Republic.
Aside from politics we will advocate everything we think will benefit our
State, county and city; education, internal improvements, &c.
We start the "Express" because we believe another paper is
needed in this city and surrounding country.
Because there is a sentiment in the country, of no mean pretensions,
which we sympathise with, that needs an expression—a medium—the Conservative
Union sentiment.
And lastly, because we are a practical printer.
It is our legitimate business and we consider we have a right to set up
in the community; as much so as any other tradesman.
ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], August 18, 1860, p. 2, c. 1
Our Ticket.
We have nailed to our mast-head as our first choice of tickets, JOHN BELL
of Tennessee, for President, and EDWARD EVERETT of Massachusetts, for Vice
President. In our humble opinion it
is the best ticket before the people,--the only one that embodies a pure,
uncontaminated conservative, Union sentiment.
We do not think it necessary to give our reasons in detail for supporting
this ticket. We think it the duty
of every man who loves his country and the Union, who hates sectionalism and
disunion to support the Union ticket. For
talent, honesty, purity and patriotism Bell and Everett have not been equalled
by any ticket of any party since 1844.
ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], August 18, 1860, p. 2, c.
1
The Size and Appearance of the Express.—We believe in the whole history
of phenomena it has never been related yet of a child walking before it crawled
or running before it walked, but it has been fabulously related of new-born
babes talking from the start. Such
is our case exactly. Necessity
forces us to crawl at first, being compelled to put up with limited ways and
means for printing until we receive supplies from abroad.
As to talking, our readers will find us quite a precocious infant.
The Editorial harness at first feels by far too large for us, but we hope
after a little wearing we will be able to pull it in.
This week we have been compelled to do at least half the mechanical work
on the paper, consequently had to hurry through a little editorial in order to
get out a number, which it would be hardly fair to consider a specimen.
We will labor under the disadvantage for awhile of having no exchanges.
As soon as we can, we will issue a semi- or tri-weekly and enlarge the
weekly.
ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], August 18, 1860, p. 2, c.
1
As a Campaign Paper.—The Express will be devoted in the main to
politics until after the present great Presidential contest.
Terms, $1.00 in advance to persons wishing to take it until November.
ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], August 18, 1860, p. 2, c.
1
At the Hole in the Wall.—Our old Starting Point.—Our office is in the
rear of the old Verimendi house, just where we started the Herald about five
years ago. Our friends wishing to
see us will be so kind as to climb the fence.
We hope to hatch ourselves out of this shell into a more convenient and
pleasant situation, soon.
ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], August 18, 1860, p. 3, c.
1
Several of the fair daughters of our sister towns, Seguin and Austin, are
on a visit to our City. They
enliven the public drives by their appearance and the gay circles by their
presence. When they leave for their
respective homes (if they do not conclude to stay altogether,) Cupid and his
delightful emissaries will take up their journey with them in a triumphant car,
dragging after it a long string of bleeding hearts.
ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], August 18, 1860, p. 3, c.
1
The Fall of the Alamo. Today's
Weekly Herald contains an account of the Fall of the Alamo by Capt. R. W.
Potter. It is the best, fullest,
and most authentic that has been published.
Mr. Potter is a gentleman of fine talents, and we hope he will continue
to dig away in this line. A finer
field for the display of literary genius than the history of the early struggles
of the Republic of Texas, is presented nowhere,
and as the Captain wields a ready and eloquent pen, we hope he will persevere in
this much neglected but interesting work. The
description is accompanied by a plat of the Alamo, which was executed by Mr.
Hoag [?], foreman of the Herald office.
ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], August 18, 1860, p. 3, c.
1
More Sad Work.—We learn that more fires have occurred in the Eastern
part of the State. The report in
regard to Henderson is confirmed.
ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], August 18, 1860, p. 3, c.
1
Hung.—It is reported that the gentleman who was in our city some
weeks since, engaged in the laudable undertaking of selling maps, has been hung
in Eastern Texas, for tampering with negroes.
He hung many a map with all our country on it, and at last was hung
himself.
ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], August 25, 1860, p. 1, c. 1-2
"The Fall of the Alamo."
We publish the following account of the "Fall of the Alamo"
from the Texas Almanac for 1860. It
is beyond a doubt the most authentic account extant.
The writer was within almost stone-throw of the Alamo during the final
assault, was in the fort immediately after, and as Alcalde of the town attended
to burying the Mexican dead; was eye-witness to the burning of the bodies of the
Texan heroes, and hunted out the bodies of Travis, Crockett and Bowie.
Mr. Ruiz certainly ought to know the truth, and he is an honest truthful
gentleman, the son of one of the signers of the declaration of Texas
Independence. Capt. Potter, is
entirely at variance with this account in some very essential particulars—in
regard to the numbers, the assault, the resistance and the loss of life.
According to Mr. Potter's statement he was in Matamoras when the event
happened and gathered his information from many incorrect sources, which
consequently do not deserve the same credence as the statement of a Mexican
gentleman of truth and intelligence, who was present and partook in some of the
ceremonies of that heroic tragedy. Mr.
Potter does not mention this account given by Mr. Ruiz, and will no doubt for
the sake of history, make some very important corrections in his interesting
reminiscence, when it is brought to his notice.
We wish to state that when we noticed Capt. Potter's account we had
merely glanced at it, and concluded, very naturally, that, coming from the
gifted pen of Capt. Potter, it must be all its publishers claim for it; and
besides we had not seen Mr. Ruiz' account, which we repeat comes up with a
better show of authority, than any we have yet seen.
The Fall of the
Alamo, and
Massacre of Travis
and His
Brave Associates.
By Francisco
Antonio Ruiz.
On the 23d day of February, 1839 [sic], (2 o'clock P.M.) Gen. Santa Anna
entered the city of San Antonio with a part of his army.
This he affected without any resistance, the forces under the command of
Travis Bowie, and Crockett, having on the same day, at 8 oclock in the morning,
learned that the Mexican army was on the banks of the Medina river, they
concentrated in the fortress of the Alamo.
In the evening they began to exchange fire with guns, and from the 23d of
February to the 6th of March (in which the storming was made by Santa
Anna,) the roar of artillery and volleys of musketry were constantly heard.
On the 9th of March, at 3 o'clock P.M. [sic], Gen. Santa Anna
at the head of 4,000 men, advanced against the Alamo.
The infantry, artillery and cavalry had formed about 1000 vrs. from the
walls of said fortress. The Mexican
army charged and were twice repulsed by the deadly fire of Travis' artillery,
which resembled a constant thunder. At
the third charge the Toluca battalion commenced to scale the walls and suffered
severely. Out of 800 men, only 130
were left alive.
When the Mexican army had succeeded in entering the walls, I, with the
Political Chief (Gefe Politico) Don Ramon Murquiz, and other members of the
Corporation, accompanied the Curate, Don Refugio de la Garza, by Santa Anna's
orders, had assembled [illegible] temporary fortification erected in Potrero
street, with the object of attending the wounded, etc.—As soon as the storming
commenced, we crossed the bridge on Commerce street with this object in view,
and about 100 yards from the same a party of Mexican dragoons fired upon us and
compelled us to fall back on the river and place we occupied before.
Half an hour had elapsed when Santa Anna sent one of his aid-de-camps
with an order for us to come before him. He
directed me to call on some of the neighbors to come up with carts to carry the
dead to the Cemetery, and also to accompany him, as he was desirous to have Col.
Travis, Bowie, and Crockett shown to him.
On the north batter of the fortress lay the lifeless body of Col. Travis
on the gun-carriage, shot only in the forehead.
Toward the west, and in the small fort opposite the city, we found the
body of Col. Crockett. Col. Bowie
was found dead in his bed, in one of the rooms of the south side.
Santa Anna, after all the Mexicans were taken out, ordered wood to be
brought to burn the bodies of the Texians.
He sent a company of dragoons with me to bring wood and dry branches from
the neighboring forest. About 3
o'clock in the afternoon, they commenced laying the wood and dry branches, upon
which a file of dead bodies were laid; more wood was piled on them and another
file brought, and in this manner they were all arranged in layers. Kindling wood was distributed through the pile, and about 5
o'clock in the evening it was lighted.
The dead Mexicans of Santa Anna were taken to the grave-yard, but not
having sufficient room for them, I ordered some of them to be thrown into the
river, which was done the same day.
Santa Anna's loss was estimated at 1600 men.
These were the flower of his army.
The gallantry of the few Texians who defended the Alamo was really
wondered at by the Mexican army. Even
the Generals were astonished at their vigorous resistance, and how dearly
victory had been bought.
The Generals, who under
Santa Anna participated in the storming of the
Alamo, were Juan Amador, Castrillon, Ramirez, Sesma, and Andrade.
The men burnt numbered 182. I
was an eye witness, for as Alcalde of San Antonio, I was with some of the
neighbors collecting the dead bodies and placing them on the funeral pyre.
[Signed]
Francisco Antonio Ruiz.
P.S. My father was Don
Francisco Ruiz, a member of the Texas Convention.
He signed the Declaratio of Independence on the 2d of March, 1836.
F. A. R.
ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], August 25, 1860, p. 3, c.
1
A caravan of Camels arrived in our city to-day, from the Pacific.
We are glad to learn that the foot bridge near the Convent is to be
re-built.
Several gay affairs have happened in our city during the week among the
lovers of Terpsichore.
The city council have ordered twenty-five lamp posts of the gas company.
It appears to us this is a small number, but perhaps will do to start
with.
In consequence of the building operations going on at the old market, the
vegetable venders hold forth on the south side of Main Plaza.
ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], August 25, 1860, p. 3, c.
1
"The Fall of the Alamo."—As there are a great many false
traditions and much perverted history in regard to this, the most heroic action
of the Texan struggle, we will attempt to give the public, as soon as it can be
conveniently compiled, an account taken from facts on record and from the
narratives of men of intelligence on the ground at the time.
ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], August 25, 1860, p. 3, c.
2
The report which we mentioned in our last in regard to the hanging of the
map man, Mr. Parker, is contradicted by the Herald.
We have obtained some more particulars.
Mr. L. Zork, of our city, who was in Richmond on Thursday the 16th,
says that Parker was then in jail, and was to be tried on the Saturday
following, and that he heard it mentioned that he would be hung.
The letter upon which the report is contradicted, is dated Matagorda the
6th inst.
ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], August 25, 1860, p. 3, c.
2
The Montezuma Mills.—These Mills are owned by Mr. J. C. Crawford, and
situated on the beautiful Leona some ninety miles west of here, and within fifty
miles of Eagle Pass, on the Rio Grande. Mr.
Crawford is now filling a large Government contract, which is proof that his
mills turn out the best quality of flour, and are capable of supplying a good
proportion of the demand for that article in this market.
They are situated on purpose on the nearest permanent running stream to
the Rio Grande, so as to command the Mexican wheat crop, which is more certain,
if possible, than in any other part of the world.
The advantage in regard to distance and the quality of the road is
decidedly in favor of Montezuma Mills over the coast as a point to receive our
flour from. Wheat has not yet been cultivated in the vicinity of the
Montezuma Mills, but the complete success of the wheat crop in this region
demonstrates the fact that it can and will be raised extensively all over
Western Texas.
H. Mayer & Co., are Mr. Crawford's agents in this city.
ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], August 25, 1860, p. 3, c.
3
A Daughter among the Sons.—A woman disguised in man's clothes gained
admittance to the Sons of Malta lodge-room in Hartford, the other evening, and
passed all the several degrees of initiation successfully until the worshipful
commander came to apply the emblem. Then
the trick was discovered, the candidate being found unworthy to receive it.
The affair has caused considerable excitement.
ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], September 1, 1860, p. 1,
c. 5
Summary: "Song
of the Texas Ranger" by W. T. G. Weaver
ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], September 1, 1860, p. 1, c. 2
The Fall of the
Alamo—Mr.
Potter's Defence.
In Friday's Daily Herald, Captain Potter attempts to defend his account
of "the fall of the Alamo" against the stubborn facts presented in the
simple and straight-forward narrative given by Don Francisco Ruis.
We thought to let this matter go until answered by an impartial
compilation of the existing facts and knowledge relating to this event, which we
shall place before the public as soon as possible, but as Mr. Potter has
presented to the public an account which he attempts to defend as infallible
against all others, we propose to take a brief review of the two accounts as
they now stand.
In the outset of his narrative, Mr. Potter says that so far as the final
assault was concerned, the details have never been correctly given by any of the
current Histories of Texas; that the official reports of the enemy cannot be
relied on; and that a trust-worthy account can only be compiled by comparing the
verbal accounts of assailants with military documents.
Mr. Potter either was not aware of, or ignores the fact that an account
had been given by an eye-witness—Don F. Ruis; declares the accounts of the
enemy to be unreliable, and then gives as his authority the narrative of
assailants, and the second-hand statements of Mexican officers; to wit:
Gen. Bradburn, who had been driven out of Anahuac by Travis, and whose
evidence to Capt. Potter was only hearsay derived from Mexican officers.—The
reliability of such authority we must be allowed to doubt when it faces the
statements of Mr. Ruis.
Again, in his estimate of Santa Anna's army he attempts to establish on probability,
the actual force. He says that
there were thirteen battalions of foot, and two regiments of cavalry, which, if
full, would amount to 22,500 men. Mr.
Potter reduces this number down to 7,500 men.
His reason:
"The nominal compliment of a Regiment or Battalion is 1500 men; but
I have never known one to be full, or to much exceed a third of that
number."
It is quite probable, for we have the Captain's word for it, that
these battalions were not full when he saw them, but this does not controvert
the probability that they were full or half full when they appeared
before the Alamo.
He makes a few minutes' work for the Mexicans to take the Alamo; and
declares that the account given by Yoakum "is evidently one which popular
tradition has based on conjecture." In
his defence, in relation to Mr. Ruis' account, he says: "It is in substance, the very account I refer to as
adopted by Yoakum and others." And
Mr. Potter calls this account of Mr. Ruis' a tradition. The narrative of an eye-witness a tradition?
In regard to the Mexican loss, Mr. Potter says:
"The estimate made by intelligent men in the action, and whose
candor I think could be relied on, rated their loss at from one hundred
and fifty to two hundred killed, and from three to four hundred wounded."
What is Mr. Ruis' testimony on this point?
He says:
"The dead Mexicans of Santa Anna were taken to the grave-yard, but
not having sufficient room for them I ordered some of them to be thrown into the
river, which was done the same day.
"Santa Anna's loss was estimated at 1600 men.
These were the flower of his army."
He disposed of the dead; had them carted off, and knew how many a cart
would contain, and how many cartloads there were.
We therefore contend he is the best possible authority on this point; and
it is absurd for any man to call this statement a "tradition based on
conjecture," and to attempt to impeach Mr. Ruis' authority as Mr. Potter
has in saying in his defence that "the credulity which can swallow this,
cannot be relied on for historical data."
Let us turn the table son the Captain:
The credulity that can swallow the account of such men as Gen. Bradburn
and other Mexican [illegible] cannot be relied on for historical data.
We think [illegible]
Now let us in conclusion [illegible] up the points of difference,
briefly:
The first is as to the time of day.—Mr. Ruis says, "on the 6th
of March, at 3 o'clock P.M." Mr.
Potter says just at the peep of day.
Mr. Ruis says the attacking forces amounted to 4000 men. Mr. Potter says 2500.
Mr. Ruis says the Mexicans were twice repulsed.
Mr. Potter says they walked right in.
Mr. Ruis says the Mexican loss was 1600.
Mr. Potter says only 500.
Now let us review their capabilities as witnesses:
Mr. Potter was, according to his own admission, several hundred miles
away when the storming of the Alamo took place; therefore is of himself no
authority, and surely cannot have the face to claim before the people of Texas
the same credence for his sources of information as the direct testimony of Mr.
Ruis deserves.
Mr. Ruis is one of our most respected and intelligent Mexican citizens;
was Alcalde or Mayor of the City at the time of the fall of the Alamo; was
present and as close as a reporter could have been, during the action; disposed
of the dead;; know, and was in company with the most prominent actors of that
occasion; has been a resident here from that time to this, and would therefore
be more likely than any other man to come in possession of all the existing
traditions, narratives and incidents in relation to this event, and would hardly
make a statement contrary to his knowledge and all the evidence of the case.
We suppose he gave this account at the solicitation of the compilers of
the Texas Almanac, in as condensed and simple a style as possible, without any
idea of literary display, or as a correction of any former accounts. It is simply his straight-forward narrative.
Mr. Potter was hundreds of miles away from the scene of battle; gathers
his statements from indirect sources; and takes the probabilities in the
case as truth; therefore we must set him down as probable, not positive
authority, however much he may object to the contrary.
If Mr. Potter is desirous of acquiring, or adding to this literary fame
as a writer and historian, we have no objections; in fact we wish him success,
provided he does not jump to conclusions upon assumed facts, or such as are not
entitled to belief; and does not introduce so many probabilities to
contradict existing authority.
ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], September 1, 1860, p. 3,
c. 1
Removal.—Our New Office.—We have hatched ourselves out of the
"hole in the wall," into a more convenient and pleasant stand opposite
the Post Office. Call on us.
ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], September 1, 1860, p. 3,
c. 1
Our Bell.—We are indebted to the cunning workmen at the old and well
known silver smith firm of Bell & Bros., for the neat cut at the head of our
editorial column.
ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], September 1, 1860, p. 3,
c. 1
Returned.—We learn that the exploring expedition under the control of
Lieut. Eckeles [?] and accompanied by an escort under the command of Lieut.
Holman, has returned. During the
expedition they encountered considerable hardship and found their camels to be
useful. We have not learned how far
the Lieutenant was successful in accomplishing the objects of the expedition.
ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], September 1, 1860, p. 3,
c. 2
The Olymp.—On any night of the week if you happen to strole [sic] down
[illegible] street, you will be greeted with the enlivening strains of a hand
organ, proceeding from an establishment with the above sign on it.
The building is devoted to the lovers of "lager beer" and an
occasional "hop" takes place in the upper rooms.
But if you neither wish to take a whirl in the German waltz or "wet
your whistle" you can step into the back yard and look at the hobby-horse
performance, which will cost you nothing unless you are silly enough to straddle
one of the "fiery steeds" and try your luck at stringing a couple of
rings on an iron poker. Night after
night is this "hobby-horse" arrangement resorted to, and affords an
easy and simple mode to our people for throwing away their surplus and
unnecessary dimes. The "Olymp"
is one of our varieties, but in its performances present the same variety every
night, especially the "hobby-horse" department,--the
"artistic" gentleman from Italy "grinds" us the same tunes
over and over again, and the "steeds" never deviate from their circle,
which we must call the "magic circle" as it congregates the humble,
the proud, the rich and the poor about it nightly—there must be a charm that
we can't see. Truly is man a simple
being chasing bubbles on life's current. The
wise and the simple ride their hobbies.
ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], September 10, 1860, p. 1,
c. 1
Two persons were recently hung in Robertson county for tampering with
negroes.
ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], September 10, 1860, p. 1,
c. 5
Summary: National
Song. The Bell of Tennessee, by a
North Carolinian.
ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], September 10, 1860, p. 1,
c. 6
A vial of supposed poison was found in a well-bucket, at Mr.
Thompson's place, in Forkstown, one day this week.
A meeting of the Vigilance Committee of that beat was called to
investigate the matter. Nothing
definite was discovered at latest dates. Let everybody be on their guard.
Lincolnites must have been about recently.—[Bellville
Countryman.
Muggins found an old jack-knife the other day.
His suspicions are aroused to the highest pitch, and he says, "let
every body be on their guard. Lincolnites
must have been around recently."
ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], September 10, 1860, p. 2,
c. 3
Significant.—A correspondent of the Gazette, writing from Fairfield,
makes the following significant remarks:
"We are, however vigilant and are guarding our village every night,
and expect to do so until the November election."
That is just what we have been telling people that this infernal
agitation about the "Abolition plot" was only gotten up for effect,
and that it would die out after the election.—Intelligencer.
ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], September 10, 1860, p. 3,
c. 4
The Olymp.—Continues to be extensively patronised.
The other evening we dropped in to hear Norma by the "artistic
Italian," when we were astonished to see so great a crowd gathered around
the "magic circle." Among
the incidents which amused us were: One
individual decidedly on his head, whether in consequence of the circular
movement or from a little of the "ardent" we know not, at any rate as
"fuddled" was this gentleman that he missed the ring board entirely
and speared the "knight of the rings" which his knightship took as
decidedly personal, but our dizzy friend was allowed to live and went on in his
mad chase after pleasure, gallantly sitting his fiery steed.
Another individual decidedly exhilerated [sic], was singing—
"I'm racing, I'm racing,
My home is the bound,
And Boshard's [?] swift hobbies
Shall carry me round."
ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], September 10, 1860, p. 3,
c. 24
The New Market House.—A Market House is one of the most important
establishments of a city, and a good one favorably situated, is certainly
desirable if not absolutely requisite. The
building should be large and substantial, situated on an area of ground
sufficiently open to accommodate a large number of vehicles and to allow a free
circulation of air in order to secure both health and comfort. As to a central point we do not consider that so requisite;
and especially when it is attainable only at the sacrifice of every essential
requisite, a little to one side would make no difference in a growing city like
our own. These thoughts are
suggested by taking a view of new market house now in progress of creation in
our city. It is going up around the
old market shanty, and fills up the entire space to the edge of the street,
leaving perhaps room enough for a horseman or footman to press round it.
We have not seen the plan or specifications, but from present appearances
the building looks like it will be adequate; but the situation is decidedly
objectionable, and displays a want of wisdom and a lack of duty on the part of
the authorities. It is jammed in
among a lot of business houses with no other access than the narrow street upon
which it fronts;--it is the hole in the city.
The big future and the present wants, comfort and convenience of our city
were certainly not consulted in this selection of a market place.
Some may accuse us of a desire to grumble and say that we ought to be
eminently thankful for anything in lieu of the present old shanty, but we contend
that the people's money should not be squandered; that those who had the matter
in charge should by all means have consulted the public interest in procuring a
suitable location, and not have displayed such haste and carelessness in
disposing of the public funds as is evident in this particular instance.
Some may think it silly in us to bring up this matter this late in the
day when the building is nearly half way completed, but we had not the
opportunity f doing so before the commencement of the work, and if we had had
that opportunity we have no idea our opposition would have availed any thing,
but it is our duty to remind the people of those things, and if possible arrest
this mania for spending the people's money regardless of economy and common
sense, as is glaringly evident in all the public works about our city for
several years past. Rickety wooden
bridges have been built at the expenditure of thousands of dollars of the public
money, combining neither beauty or durability; at first cheaper than good iron
or stone bridges, but costing in the run of a few years more in the way of
continual repair. This is very nice
for city jobbers but ruinous to the best interest of the community at large.
A reform is needed. Every
cent of public money should be expended with care and good judgment, [illegible]
have much improvement to [illegible]; and it should be done with especial eye to
the wants of the big and growing future.
ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], September 24, 1860, p. 3,
c. 3
Young America—had a happy time of it on Wednesday evening last.
Judging from the noise they made there were about one thousand boys on
the main plaza and as they are not interested in Squatter Sovereignty and
politics generally, they take it upon themselves to build bonfires, throw
turpentine balls and keep up a noise. A
more energetic set of youngsters cannot be scared up anywhere; they declared
themselves decidedly pleased with the arrangement of having speaking on this
side the river, as they had "burnt out" the Alamo.—Foraging parties
were dispatched over the city and a bonfire soon made out of a collection of
barrels, boxes &c. Turpentine
balls went sailing thro' the air and were particularly annoying to some melon
vendors near the old Catholic church. One
little fellow got his coat tail on fire and went a kiting with the whole tribe
at his heels. Fuel getting scarce,
some keen scented youngsters discovered that the vegetable vendors had their
benches &c stowed away on the corner amongst the old buildings they were
immediately brought forth amidst yells and shouts and consigned to the flames.
There were an angry set folks at market next morning.
ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], October 1, 1860, p. 3, c.
1
Photographs.—We notice some excellent photograph views on exhibition on
the corner of the plaza. They were
executed by Negel & Williams. A
few of these views sent abroad would make people fall in love sooner with our
city than the most glowing pen and ink sketches.
ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], October 8, 1860, p. 3, c.
1
We are requested to say that
Protracted meeting will commence at Selma (the Austin crossing of the
Cibolo) on Friday Night the 12th of October which will include the
Sabath [sic] following. The Rev.
Messrs. Wilson of Seguin and Bunting of San Antonio are expected to conduct the
exercises.
ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], October 15, 1860, p. 3, c.
3
The meat market has been moved to the South side of the Main Plaza.
We advise the butchers to turn their stalls round to the North and
prepare for winter—its a very good stand; and we advise the authorities, who
in their wisdom ??? selected the sight [sic] for new market house, [and what a
sight] to fence in its numerous doors and rent it out as a horse or cattle pen
or bull ring, (as we learn they have licensed a bull fighter,) and let it remain
a beautiful monument to Folly.
ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], October 15, 1860, p. 3, c. 3
The Ladies' Supper.
On last Thursday evening the ladies favorable to the German-English
School, gave a supper in the Casino Hall for the benefit of that Institution.
From a gentleman who participated in the affair we gather some of the
particulars.
The tables were sent for two hundred persons but had to be extended.
Each person was ticketed to a seat, and the most perfect order and
comfort observed through the entire arrangement.—A little before 9 o'clock,
upon request, the numerous and elite company was seated at the tables and
addressed by the President of the Casino, Julius Berends, Esq., in the German
language. After Mr. Berends'
address, the supper commenced and continued until 11 o'clock and after,
interspersed with speeches, toasts and music.
Hon. G. Schleicher, Judges Divine and Duncan, addressed the company in
English, and C. N. Riotte, Esq., Principal of the German-English School, our
neighbor of the Zietung, and others, in German.—The addresses were excellent,
the supper splendid, and the order and politeness which pervaded the whole
affair is pronounced superior to that of any former occasion of like character
in our city. In fact the whole affair passed off in the most delightful
and pleasant manner,--good humor and good feeling predominating.
It was evident that the sum realized (although quite handsome) was not so
much the object as to raise an interest in behalf of education.
ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], October 22, 1860, p. 3, c.
3
This morning, (Tuesday) we were called upon by Maj. Chas. Bickley
aid-de-camp to Gen. Bickley.—He seems a pleasant young gentleman and, though
from reasons we consider good, we differ widely and have no sympathy with this
movement as explained in Gen. Bickley's speech we hope that Maj. Bickley will
find our city pleasant to him. He
is stopping at the City Hotel.
ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], October 22, 1860, p. 3, c.
5
Those Gas Posts.—What has become of the twenty-five gas posts the city
purchased? Are they upright or
horizontal? do they burn gas or do
they generate gas in Aldermen? The
facts are these, the posts belong to the city, and have been paid for at the
rate of $25 per post, but there is scarcely enough of them to decorate the front
door of every city father and dispense light throughout the entire city, and
altho' a petition signed by all the tax payers on Commerce street desiring that
the posts should attain an upright posture and give light in that part o the
city, for which they were intended, yet the jealous city dads stick to it that
they are the exclusive right to do all the gasing for the city, even if no light
results, and frown down any attempt on the part of the Regular Gas Co., to
infringe on their sacred and inviolable rights.
ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], October 22, 1860, p. 3, c.
5
The Alamo Rifle Company give a grand Military Ball on the 27 inst.
We bespeak a pleasant and happy time.
ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], October 22, 1860, p. 3, c.
5
Pecans.—there are various reports in regard to the plenty or scarcity
of this important export. Several
hundred bushels have been received in and shipped from our city lately. Purchases at $1.75 per bushel and sales at $2.00.
ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], November 5, 1860, p. 1, c. 4
The "K. G. C."
Below we give from the Austin "Southern Intelligencer" an
account of the speech of Gen. Bickley which meets the necessity of the case so
well that we transfer it to our columns instead of going into a review of the
speech as reported in the Herald.
["] The following placard was displayed in our city on last
Wednesday:
K. G. C.
Gen. Geo. Bickley, President of the American Legion of K. G. C. will
address the citizens of Austin on the character and aim of the Knights of the
Golden Circle, at the Hall over Darden and Maynard's, this (Wednesday) evening
at 7½ o'clock. The public is
respectfully invited to attend.
As our people are not much given to running after sights [except the
circus,] and would not be humbugged even by the Biological, Odological Dr. Hale,
the notice of itself would have excited but little attention in these speaking
days, but for the circulation of a pamphlet by the orator, who is understood to
be the President of the "K. G. C."
This pamphlet produced some excitement among a number of our citizens,
who otherwise would not have attended the meeting.
Among the passages which look to the political aspect of the thing, we
copy the following:
"The Knights of the Golden Circle constitute a powerful military
organizations [sic], as a nuceleus [sic] around which to hang such political
considerations as will, if well managed, lead to the disenthrallment of the
cotton States from the oppressive majority of the manufacturing and commercial
interests of the North."
"The great West was being rapidly settled by Europeans who arrived
in our country with deep rooted pejudices [sic] against slavery, until the
anti-slavery party was no longer confined to the manufacturing districts of New
England, but like some fatal epidemic, it has spread over the whole North and
West."
"The Republican or Northern party is abolitionized—the Southern
party is gong rapidly to secession. All
parties in the North are free-soil; all parties in the South are
constitutionalists, and when the provisions of that instrument are violated,
then our people are secessionists. It
is quite true that there are many pro-slavery men in the North—men who have
stood by us [illegible] there are men in the south who are in favor of the Union
[illegible]—men who to preserve the Union, would give up the slave
institutions of the Southern States, and re-enact the farce and folly of
Jamaican Emancipation."
"It is then clear that the acquisition of Southern territory by the
Federal Government is a dangerous experiment, and not to be countenanced for one
moment."
"Northern men have been called to edit our papers and Northern women
to educate and train our daughters. The
one propagates abolitionism by insidious clippings of abolition arguments, and
weak comments thereof; the other, while their conduct is, so far as we have
observed in the main, irreproachable, by constantly reminding the child of our
duty to be kind and affable, and that we are all the work of the Creator, and of
one race, so impress the child's mind that by the time it arrives at maturity it
is already abolitionized."
"The third division or degree is also divided into two classes, the
"Foreign and Home Councils." This
is the political or governing division. The
"Home Council" is one of pure advisement, and takes no active steps.
It is unknown to the public or the first division of the K. G. C., and
intended to guard us against infractions of the law.
Like other "Home" classes it enjoys advantages known only to
the order. The Foreign Council is divided into ten departments,
representing respectively the interests of agriculture, education, manufacture,
finance, police, war, navigation, law and foreign relations. Also from the "Foreign Council" there is selected
three classes as a high court of appeals and entrusted with the making laws for
the government of the K. G. C. These
classes represent respectively the interests of capital, manufacturing and
mining interests, and the interests of commerce [?] and agriculture.
"Our people must present an unbroken front—no division should now
be tolerated. The old party issues
should be forgotten, and we should have but one Electoral Ticket in the South,
and that should be for a representative man.
We now need men who will step boldly out and declare themselves either
for or against us. The disposition
to "shirk" the question and issue is ill-adapted to the dangers which
now threaten us. Let us know our
friends and our enemies."
"There is a mercantile objection, [illegible] that the K. G. C. will
not "pay." To this
objection we refer to the history of the Hudson's Bay and East India
Companies.—The K. G. C. is precisely such an association as those, and as they
won empires for Great Britain, so may the K. G. C. for a Southern
Confederacy."
"It would make the South strong in or powerful out of the
Union."
"Let the people go to work in earnest and the South will soon be
mistress of her own interests and destiny.
Put off this crisis another term and we are lost.
The border States are slipping from our grasp, and unless the people are
aroused to a full sense of their danger, the Southern Confederacy will embrace
only the cotton States." ["]
We have made our quotations this extensive because it saves the necessity
of a full report of the speech, which was in sentiment to all extents and
purposes the same.
It is true the speaker began by denying all political objects and
purposes; and he patriotically advised the election of Breckinridge, Douglas or
Bell, if either could defeat Lincoln.—He disavowed disunion objects—and yet
he insisted that there are but two parties—a Northern and Southern party; and
he sought to teach that there should be but these sectional parties and to doubt
the patriotism of all who thought differently.
He regarded it as a foregone conclusion, that if Lincoln was elected,
resistance would surely follow, and the "K. G. C." would become the
rallying army for the Southern disunionist.
He read the first and second degrees of the order, but not the third.
As the first degree swears "allegiance to the order, &c., and
the speaker invited any one not satisfied to ask questions, Judge Paschal,
[Union elector] rose and said: "I
am not satisfied with the oath, and I wish to inquire, whether the
"Allegiance" which you swear rises above or in subordination to the
Constitution and the laws of the United States and of the respective States,
where the members of the order may be?"
The speaker said "yes" and to prove it he read from the first
degree which says:
4. "You do each swear
to obey the laws of the United States provided the same are consistent with the
spirit and letter of the Constitution of the United States and the States in
which you live; that you will do no act of which an American citizen should be
ashamed?"
Judge Paschal said:
"Do the members of the order assume to themselves to determine the
constitutionality of the laws of Congress and to resist them, or do they refer
that question to the lawful tribunals of the land?"
Gen. Bickley said: "As citizens we do judge of the constitutionality of
laws, and act accordingly." At
this answer, most theatrically expressed, the leading Breckinridge State
officers present, applauded vociferously, as indeed they did at every sentiment
of a revolutionary character.
The speaker then proceeded to give the Mexican view of the subject which
he denied was filibusterism; but only a decent way of getting hold of the
country, by some kind of conquest, and the bringing it into the United States,
or else adding it to the Southern Confederacy.
The plan was certainly more ornamental than practical.
And the denial of Filibusterism was as little convincing as the denial
that the thing is being used as a political engine.
But upon this part of the speech we have no criticism at present.
In the course of the remarks, frequent reference was made to the order
being a "police regulation." When
through, Judge Paschal took the stand and read the last paragraph in the
pamphlet, in these words:
"The people must begin to examine the state of the nation, and
determine on a line of policy united to the exigencies of the times. If the K. G. C. shall succeed we shall hear no more of the
disunion, and, if so, it will be a secession of the North—not the South.
We shall stand by the Constitution and the Government that will see that
every provision thereof is religiously obeyed.
Outside of all other considerations, the South ought to support and
extend the K. G. C. organization and Domestic Police system—and [illegible]
nucleus for her military system. That
we [much of rest of column illegible]
ican People."
Judge Paschal then said: "I
have understood that it has been said that the order acts as spies upon
travelers, and even marks baggage, and that baggage has come marked to this city
as suspicious. Is this so?"
Gen. Bickley—"It is."
Judge Paschal—"I wish to know if the Mexico which you may find in
the District of Columbia, points to the contingency of the Presidential
election, and if the order stands ready to obey Southern Governors and to raise
the standard of rebellion, if they are not satisfied with the "Presidential
election?" Gen. Bickley made
quite a flourish of trumpets, and was understood to answer in the affirmative.
Gen. Bickley then said he wished to ask Judge P. a question.
But instead thereof, he went into some declamation about the duty of
citizens to obey their Governors; stated that Gov. Pettus of Mississippi and
other Southern Governors were members of the order, and would act if Lincoln
should be elected. He said that should he (B.) be in Texas, and Gov. Houston
call for his services, his "tried sword" would be drawn, to march to
the District of Columbia, or wherever else the Gov. Might command.
Or should he be in Virginia, as little as he liked Gov. Letcher, he would
march at his command. And he knew that Virginia would not submit, &c.
As to the "baggage searching," the spotting of men,"
&c., he said there ought to have been such an order thirty years ago; that
people were welcome to search Bickley's baggage, and no sound man should object
to it. It was intended for the
nutmeg men, the Yankee pedlers, and such suspicious characters. His question was: "Did
any one object to these sentiments, objects and practices."
Judge Paschall said: "This
is not the place to express my full sentiments in regard to all I have heard
to-night. It is the meeting of a
man, who says he has expended six years and thousands of dollars in the cause.
Great as I think his errors, I would speak of him with respect and
courtesy.
But to the avowal that the order is a secret police; accustomed to
denounce individuals; working by secret means, (as dangerous to the innocent as
the guilty;_ that it marks baggage, and sends forward its suspicions with the
unsuspecting traveler, that it is a secret order which undertakes to pass upon
the soundness of Southern citizens, having a common interest in the subject of
slavery—I say that it is the institution of the order or Robespiere, which
will plunge us into a sea of revolution worse than the bloodiest days of France.
It cannot, it will not be tolerated."
He then briefly pointed out some of the consequences.
And he continued: "You
all know that I never belonged to any secret order, and therefore I may overrate
the dangers of secret higher law and political orders.
I denounced the know-nothing order, because I saw in it a government and
degrees, which taught an habitual disregard of the constitution in favor of the
freedom of religion and the eligibility of all free white citizens of the United
States to office. But here is an
order which goes many steps further. It
is "military, financial and political;" and its purposes by secret
means, to attain its ends. It
arrays itself with the misguided partizans who threaten to overthrow the
government, should they not elect their candidate!
And it proposes, by secret means, to proscribe all who will not fall into
their revolutionary purposes. It is
then a secret political agency, and one which establishes a police above the
laws, which are sufficient for every emergency.
As to the sentiment that it is the duty to obey the governor, even should
he raise the standard of rebellion. I
have no language strong enough for it. Revolutions
must be the work of the people. We elect governors to see that the laws are executed; not to
inaugurate revolution. When the
public voice is to be tested on such a subject, the question must be submitted
to ever[y] voter; because each of them has an interest as high as the governor
himself. Much as I love the
Governor of Texas; highly as I honor his judgment and patriotism, yet I declare,
that should he usurp the power of calling for soldiers to resist the
constitution, laws and lawful authority of the United States, I would denounce
him as a traitor to his oath. But I
fear no such consequences.—Houston will never lead a rebellion; nor do I
believe that any governor will take any such responsibility.
Evils exist, dangers threaten, but to the people belong the questions of
life, liberty, property and honor. All
appeals to their judgments and passions, should be open and public.
All plottings and cabals will be met by counter plots, until if continued
you will have civil war at home and in our very streets.
Improvident men are now [most of rest of column illegible]
lowered by the temper of the crowd.—There were however,
some repetitions of the necessity of purely "northern and southern
parties," and of fight and fury, whereat a few of the intense Yanceyites
applauded with diminished enthusiasm.
We give this brief report to the public.
We trust that Gen. Bickley will publish the entire speeches.
We would hold no political party responsible for this secret order; but
trust that all parties will disavow it as a secret political engine.
In its secrecy, in its police espionage and its avowed southern
confederacy disunionism, we see nothing but mischief.
We trust its strength and the character of those who compose it are not
fairly represented by its advocates. Secrecy
in political movements, is not to be tolerated among a people who rely upon an
enlightened public opinion.
Gen. Bickley said, that he could not speak for Austin, he could for
Texas. We call upon every Texas
editor and Texas speaker and candidate to speak for themselves.
Judge Paschal has spoken the sentiments of this community, with a few
uninfluential exceptions. He stands
by the constitution and the laws against all mobs, higher lawism and secret
espionage. And our citizens should
be proud, that they had a man bold enough to speak in the right time, the right
tone and temper towards men, who, however pure their motives might be, are
certainly upon a most dangerous road. Let
us have no political secret conclaves—no reign of terror—but let all
political subjects be openly and boldly discussed.
We are glad to learn that the
expose of the mysterious K. G. C., was not pleasing to some of the more moderate
followers of the bolters, (the extremists had hoped to make a good thing of it.)
Yesterday morning a large showbill was posted, giving notice that M. R.
Reagan, Esq., would address the unterrified at the same place last night.
It was whispered around, that Morris would "show up" the new
secret political order, and prove it to be "a Bell and Everett trick."
The editor attended, and found Gen. Bickley there, with his aids Col.
Groiner and Maj. Bickley. Our
friend Morris spoke to the great satisfaction of the organizers, and really got
off some patriotic sentiments, such as a willingness to die for the country, and
the declaration that "to spot a man in this country is to hang him to the
first black oak." But there
was so much of the warp and woof of "the fire the southern heart, and
precipitate the Cotton States into a revolution—campaign orators, that Gen.
Bickley mistook him for "one of 'em," and gave the sign, and after the
speech, claimed him, and commenced reading the degrees.
It was a rich meeting, and we heard a wag say, that if the Breckinridge
orator came there to "show up" the K. G. C.'s he did it after the
fashion of Archie [illegible] a story of the Belle who went to the Kentucky
quarter-race, to see Bob Easly's new importation of the animal of the tribe
which the queer cursing old Balaam road. The
secrecy is too good a thing for the Yanceyites to shake off with such delicate
jerks. They must put on the power
which old Doddy Biggs employed upon the opossum, which would not let go when
every foothold was broken. The K.
G. C. will stick to them by the tail unless there is a hard shake.
ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], November 5, 1861, p. 3, c. 1
Banner Presentation.
On Saturday evening last, a little farce transpired on the Main Plaza, in
the matter of a banner presentation. It
was quite late before the meeting commenced.
A few of the faithful were there as if to keep alive the dying embers of
secession. The banner bore the
portraits of Breckinridge and Lane, and a very common handbill affair it was. We
were at considerable loss to know the exact object of the meeting, and we
believe it had no object only to give the ever [illegible] Probate Judge and a
couple of other smaller lights the opportunity to explode. Chief Justice Duncan opened the play in his customary
artistic and splendid style of oratory, going thro' a perfect series of hissing
and sputtering. He labored hard to
establish the idea that each State was an independent nation—a fallacy of
course. He said, in the course of a
very logical passage, that one of Mr. Bell's principal supporters had
said that Lincoln's election would be sufficient cause for disunion.
He did not give that supporter's name.
The only charge of that kind which has been made, was against Hon. Bailey
Peyton; it was a lie, and has been nailed to the counter as such.
Mr. Duncan delivered the banner into the hands of a Mr. Fort, for safe
keeping. Mr. Fort arose and
addressed the audience. Being a
stranger and a quiet, genteel young fellow, his truly pleasing address and well
communicated speech was listened to with attention.
Mr. Fort we take to be a young man just stepping into the arena of public
life. His speech we would have
taken little objection to—excusing all rabbidness [sic] as a natural party
tendency; but when he came to speak of Douglas in vile and abusive terms, and
[most of rest of column illegible]
TRI-WEEKLY ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], February 4,
1861, p. 2, c. 1
This week we recommence the publication of the Alamo Express, and fulfill
the promise we made our readers at the close of the Presidential campaign.
The times give very little encouragement to a new enterprise, and we hope
our friends will lend us all the sympathy and aid possible in our venture to
publish a newspaper in these troublesome, uncertain and truly hard times.
We shall devote ourselves to forwarding what we consider the best
interests of our country, and make every endeavor to give the public a good
newspaper.
As to our politics, we will say a word, though it is unnecessary, but for
fear the public may think that we, too, have become tired of breasting the storm
and turned our back on the Union,--we are still devoted to its preservation and
will continue so while a ray of hope remains.
And for the life of us we cannot see that there is much magnanimity,
patriotism or [illegible] displayed in deserting the Union because of its
extremity and need, and because of the multitude of its destroyers, no more than
there would be in deserting the flag of our country on the eve of battle because
of the strength of the enemy and they possibility of defeat.
While we do not consider the simple election of Lincoln to the Presidency
sufficient cause for a dissolution of the Union, still we would not for a moment
submit to the enforcement of the Chicago Platform because we believe it founded
upon principles which abolish the Constitution of the United States, on this
point we do not believe there has been any difference of opinion between the
Border and Cotton States. All
parties in the late Presidential election avowed this, they only differed as to
the time and mode of resistance; they never differed as regards the point
of resistance provided the Chicago Platform be carried out as interpreted by the
ultra Republicans. We believe the
South is a unit upon this point, and there will be no submission if the
Republicans attempt to carry out their alleged anti-slavery doctrine.
All parties were accessary [sic] to the election of Lincoln.
We went into the election with two Union and two sectional tickets—we
were all beaten by the Northern sectional ticket, under the laws and without
fraud, and we should be willing to abide that administration, if administered
upon National principles. But
we never intended to submit to any administration of the Government that would
deprive us of our slave property. We
contemplated resisting encroachments in the Union.
In these opinions we believe we represent correctly the sentiments of all
Southern Union men. We are in favor
of settling our National difficulties upon the basis of Crittenden's proposed
amendment to the Constitution. If
this is not possible, a Convention of the United South—of a Southern
Confederacy, let it be composed of 15 States; if that cannot be done let us
stand by the Border States. If
Arkansas and Louisiana cut us off from the border States we are for the Lone
Star Republic.
We have thus plainly stated our views because we think it due to the
public from whom we expect support, and from whom we do not wish to draw
patronage under false pretences, or by sailing under false colors, and as there
is no neutral ground to stand upon we therefore boldly take our stand in favor
of the Union.
TRI-WEEKLY ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], February 4,
1861, p. 3, c. 1
Summary: Almost
illegible article about the K. G. C. turning out and raising a
"dark blue [?] flag with a lone white star bordered with read in the
center"
TRI-WEEKLY ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], February 4,
1861, p. 3, c. 1
In response to an invitation extended to the Alamo Rifles by the San
Antonio City Guards (K. G. C.), the [illegible] company was called together at
11 o'clock [illegible] and after some argument passed the following
resolutions"
Resolved, [illegible] we acknowledge the [illegible] in the City Guards
or any other company, to hoist the flag of the State at any time they deem
proper, we would very respectfully decline its invitation extended [illegible]
of participating in such a ceremony.
Resolved, We bow with all deference to the sovereignty of the State, and
will [illegible] as much as any men in defence of her honor, her rights, and her
cause—but we will never participate in a rejoicing of the fall of the stars
and stripes, and [illegible] the State has seceded through her proper
channel—the people—we acknowledge no other thing.
TRI-WEEKLY ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], February 6, 1861, p. 2, c. 1
The Late Excitement.
A week or two since our citizens were thrown into a fever of excitement
and alarm from a report of an intended raid upon us under the command of
Capt. Baylor, for the purpose of taking the U. S. Arsenal and stores.
And it is not at all strange that the lives and property of ten or twelve
thousand people should awake a little alarm and apprehension at the approach of
an armed force, upon no peace mission, in times that betoken revolution.
That the report was well founded is beyond doubt.
That there has been companies raised in the upper counties, (under the
excuse of going buffalo hunting,) for the purpose of making a descent upon our
city—that they were to be co-oporated [sic] with from Gonzales and Seguin is
also beyond doubt. That there has
been a settled purpose on the part of many men in different portions of the
State to take the Government property is likewise true, and San Antonio is
spoken of abroad as an "abolition hole" that ought to be "wiped
out."
The report came, and from a quarter which gave it weight.
Our citizens were unusually alarmed because they were entirely unprepared
to meet the emergency that was presented. The Honorable mayor was equal to the exigency of the case; a
strong police force was brought into requisition and companies have been
organized in the wards, and Gen. Twiggs found outside pressure so strong that he
was compelled to send for troops, the regular force here being so very small and
inadequate to protect the Government property.
A feeling of quiet and security has taken the place of alarm, because our
citizens feel ready and able to protect the city against any invading force.
We hear no more of Baylor; he, no doubt, being informed of all that
transpires in our midst, thinks prudence the better part of valor and concludes
to "lay low" for the present.
There are many reasons if revolution, palpable rebellion against
constituted authorities does break out, that our citizens should see that the
United States ordnance falls into no vandal hands until a settled state of
things is inaugurated. For once
revolution breaks out and confusion usurps the place of order and might makes
right—with the present straightened condition of our State—forced loans are
inevitable and exactions will be common. Our
city with its wealth and reputed opulence will be a prominent mark, and it would
be no pleasant picture to behold the U. S. cannon aiming their dark mouths upon
our peaceful homes and business house, with a body of men behind them demanding
money and provisions. Just such
things happen in all revolutions—they may happen again, and especially have
our citizens some ground for caution since much ill-feeling exists abroad
towards them because of their want of enthusiasm at the prospect of the downfall
of the best government in the world.
The only way to prevent alarm is to be always ready, and this is the
advice we tender our citizens.
TRI-WEEKLY ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], February 6, 1861, p. 2, c. 3
Letter to Gen. Twiggs
In the "Ledger and Texan" of Tuesday we notice a letter from a
committee of the K. G. C.'s, published by the consent of Gen. Twiggs, and as it
is public property, we suppose we have the right to review it. It starts out by saying "the committee represent one
hundred and twenty responsible citizens of
San Antonio, K. G. C." The
question naturally arises, what is it that constitutes a man a "responsible
citizen." We take it that he
must be a man of family, having "little responsibilities" to care for
and protect—he must have property or business that makes it to his interest to
act for the welfare of the whole, and not fore mere self, or he must be a man
elected by consent of the people to represent them. It certainly can't mean merely "belonging to the K. G.
C." With all due respect, and
meaning nothing hard or unkind to many young friends and acquaintances, we can't
see that a great portion of the one hundred and twenty, so far as we know them,
have any but the latter questionable qualification for
"responsibility"—being without families, fortunes, or steady
business avocations, and holding no representative office from the people.
[section illegible on film]
TRI-WEEKLY ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], February 6,
1861, p. 3, c. 1
The Lone Star flag which was raised over Carolan's Auction room on
Tuesday and left up over night, was floating Wednesday morning bespangled with
the complete "glorious constellation," much to the annoyance of the
enterprising gentlemen who put it up. Of
course the culprit is not known. The
stars were sewed on.
TRI-WEEKLY ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], February 4,
1861, p. 3, c. 1
Gen. Twiggs.—It is rumored about our streets, and by men who ought to
know, that Gen. Twiggs will, if Texas secedes, resign his commission immediately
and take command of the K. G. C. forces in our State.
We do not give this report as true beyond doubt, but as creating
considerable gossip and speculation amongst our citizens.
If our armies are to be commanded by Generals who hold so lightly their
oaths of allegiance to their government,--and the "tug of war" ever
comes, and things look squally, what guarantee have we that they can be depended
upon.
Oh that all our Senators were like Crittenden and our military commanders
like Bob Anderson, then would Columbia not be robbed of her glory or despoiled
of her greatness.
TRI-WEEKLY ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], February 8,
1861, p. 3, c. 1
Gen. Twiggs.—Some of our citizens seem much exercised at what we said
about Gen. Twiggs. We only gave a
little more publicity to a report that has been in circulation for some time in
our community. We are very sorry
that the General should by his actions in any respect cause reports of this
nature to get afloat in the community, or that any individuals to give weight
and importance to their movements should use the General's name.
All reports and rumors are very likely to fall into the vandal hands of
the newspaper man and become still more public.
The General has grown old in the service of his country, and we would be
the last one to throw a shadow on his hitherto unsullied fame.
He is a public man, occupying a prominent position in they eyes of the
State and country, and in a very embarrassing and delicate position, and we are
truly sorry if reports are circulated which have done him injustice.
TRI-WEEKLY ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], February 8, 1861, p. 3, c. 2
The Right of Opinion
Is this still a land where liberty loves to dwell?
Where freedom is allowed to opinion and not denied utterance?
Where men are not to be persecuted for opinion's sake?
If it is, it would be well for those who differ with us to remember it. It would be well for men to consider that their fellow men
have as much right to an opinion as they have, and that they should grant all
the liberty they claim in the exercise of their opinions, to others.
If we all have the good of the country at heart, we will all eventually
work together.
TRI-WEEKLY ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], February 8,
1861, p. 3, c. 2
Cotton for Mexico.—On Friday eighteen Mexican carts ladened with 108
bales of cotton passed through our city on their way to Sotillo. Instead of the raw material these carts should have been
loaded with fabrics manufactured out of it by the San Antonio Cotton Factories.
TRI-WEEKLY ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], February 8,
1861, p. 3, c. 2
We learn that Gen. Twiggs has issued a circular to the troops in which he
starts out by saying, that Texas having seceded they will hold themselves in
readiness to march. The General has
certainly jumped the question and reached the conclusion before the people of
Texas.
TRI-WEEKLY ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], February 11,
1861, p. 3, c. 1
To-day, Monday, is the most delightful of the season.
The warm sun and soft spring breeze seem to give a brighter and
pleasanter look to all things. Our
public square was crowded with wagons and carts ladened with hay, wood and
country produce, and also a train of carts from Mexico freighted with corn and
beans, and a New Mexican train on its way to the coast, which took some 2000
beef hides for Mr. Gustav Theisen. A
little more certainty in political matters would remove the gloom that hangs, in
spite of the cheerful weather, over our city.
TRI-WEEKLY ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], February 11,
1861, p. 3, c. 1
Bull Fights—During the quiet hours of last Sabbath afternoon a bull
fight took place at the amphitheater on the West side of the San Pedro.
TRI-WEEKLY ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], February 11,
1861, p. 3, c. 1
Fish.—To-day, Monday, we noticed a good supply of fresh fish in market.
Two individuals having made haul of some hundred pounds of trout, perch,
cat, turtle and frog from the San Pedro ditch.
TRI-WEEKLY ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], February 13, 1861, p. 2, c. 2
Troops Marching on San Antonio.
News has been received from a reliable source that a force of some two
hundred men are encamped near Seguin, and that they will be reinforced to-night
by several hundred more. The
destination of those troops is said to be San Antonio.
Their business is supposed to be the taking possession of the United
States property.
Letters have also been received stating that there is a large body of men
moving upon our city. We take the
following extract from a letter to a gentleman in this city, written by a San
Antonian, dated Gonzales, February 12th:
"I have heard from responsible men here that there are between three
and four thousand men marching upon San Antonio.
They are coming from the upper counties."
Something is in the wind.
TRI-WEEKLY ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], February 13,
1861, p. 3, c. 1
Rumors and Strange Things.—On Monday last our city was full of vague
rumors about something which nobody knew anything about.
Something about commissioners taking charge of or demanding government
property—something about some important personage [supposed, from his military
dashing look, to hold a high command] demanding the muster rolls of city
companies—the people in the dark, &c., &c.
Now, who in the name of common sense are these commissioners?—where did
they come from? what government do
they represent?—who gave them their commissions?—not the Governor, not the
people of Texas, not the U. S. Government—then who are they? and what business have they to even ruffle the smooth surface
of our quiet city with vague rumors about things they are unauthorized by any of
"the powers that be" to meddle with?
Strange questions, but still stranger rumors.
Texas is still in the Union, and will be, even according to the authority
of the revolutionary convention, until the 2nd of March.—Then by
whom, through whom and for whom do they act, and to whom are they responsible?
Perhaps they are an impatient set of gents who can not wait the say of
the "common herde" [sic] and presume upon what it will
be?
TRI-WEEKLY ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], February 13, 1861, p. 3, c. 1
Major Clark
Addresses
The Alamo Rifles.
On Tuesday night last after the drill and business of the Alamo Rifle
company was over, the Captain announced that Major Clark desired to address the
company, and therefore ordered the men to "fall in" outside of the
armory. Major Clark stepped to the
front of the company, came to a "front face," and commenced his speech
in a very courteous manner, the burden of which was in substance as follows:
I love the Alamo Rifles—I love every man in San Antonio—I come before
you merely as a disinterested individual, without any authority for so doing,
but merely to tell you what your duty is in these stirring times.
The K. G. C. love you, they are sworn to protect you and the rest of the
city—they are for the South and Texas—they have been misrepresented—they
love you and expect you to stand by them when they kick up a muss—the people
of Texas [10,000 voters] have declared themselves out of the Union—you must
ratify their action at the ballot-box—you will be expected to back some
unknown, and till now unheard of commissioners if they demand the government
property—we must submit to our rulers—I, for one, "come
weal or come woe," will die by the people of Texas, "from whom I have
received nothing but kindness." Mr.
Rifles, I again assure you, you are a ghlorious [sic] set of fellows and I love
you. Adieu!
[Applause]
We are an ardent admirer of
Major Clark, and for him feel a kindness and
respect, and am sorry that we cannot give him the benefit of a more extended
report of his speech, and of our inability to present it in language that would
sound more oratorical. We pretend
merely to give the substance as it appeared to us.
Some of our bull headed fellows could neither make head nor tail
out of his remarks. They are and
will remain in the dark until further developments as to who our rulers
are and who those commissioners are.
If the Major wished to tell the Rifles their duty, we are rather inclined
to think he has missed his "cue."
Like true soldiers they know their duty to their country. We would further remark that politics is scrupulously avoided
in the company, and but for it being forced upon the company, no political
jarring would ever disturb the fellowship and kind feeling existing among its
members. After breaking ranks, one
of the company stepped up to Major Clark, and desired to ask him a question; the
Major said "certainly." He
then asked him, "Will you abide the decision of the people of Texas at the
ballot-box?" "Certainly,"
replied the Major. Then continued the questioner, "If they decided to
remain in the Union?" This
puzzled the Major, and well it might, after declaring that he would die for
Texas, but replied that he would, or "leave the State."
TRI-WEEKLY ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], February 13, 1861, p. 3, c. 5
Theater at the
Casino
Hall.
Sunday 17th
February
"The Love
Letter."
Comedy in 3 Acts,
by R. Bonedix.
Rising of the Curtain at 8 o'clock.
Strangers can be introduced by Members.
TRI-WEEKLY ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], February 15,
1861, p. 3, c. 1
Gen. Twiggs to be Relieved.—We learn that Gen. Twiggs is to be relieved
immediately by Col. Waite from Camp Verde.
This will certainly be a great relief to Gen. Twiggs in his present poor
state of health and troublesome embarrassment.
Col. Wait [sic] is a gallant officer, he served through the Mexican War
winning laurals [sic] for his bravery and gallant deeds, he was severely wounded
at Molino Del Rey and breveted Col. for his conduct in that engagement.
TRI-WEEKLY ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], February 15,
1861, p. 3, c. 1
"The Camels are Coming."—Reports, and reliable ones, are
constantly coming in that men are marching upon our city, and that a demand for
the surrender of the governmeet [sic] property will be made upon, perhaps within
twenty-four hours. The taking of
government property is certainly premature and injudicious, and should not be
suffered. If the regular force is
not sufficient, our citizens will no doubt volunteer. Let the question come home to every man—"Are your
peaceful homes to be thus invaded without cause?"
TRI-WEEKLY ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], February 15,
1861, p. 3, c. 1
Gen. Twiggs and the Commissioners.—Rumor says that Gen. Twiggs and the
commissioners could not agree upon the terms of surrender—the commissioners
asking everything and the Gen. asking the arms of the troops and sufficient
provisions to carry them out of the State.
TRI-WEEKLY ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], February 15,
1861, p. 3, c. 2
"Bread for the Poor."—Never in the whole history of our city
were times so hard and business so dull. Never
before did the cry for bread greet the ears of our citizens. From outward appearances there is little or no suffering, but
inquiry developes [sic] the fact that there is much private charity dispensed.
Mr. Grenet has been and is now issuing between fifty and one hundred
loaves of bread to the poor, besides giving many little articles to the sick
poor. Before the sun drives away
the cold damp of the morning, some fifty poor people, mostly Mexicans, may be
seen clustering around the door of that kind and generous man; half clad mothers
clasping their infants to their bosoms; men able to do hard work, with downcast
look, awaiting the releif [sic] of their wants.
Mr. Grenet has many applications which come in a way that forbids inquiry
because they come from families that feel a delicacy in asking charity.
Messrs. Morris & Bro. have also dealt out meat to the poor, and found
more applications than they proposed to supply. Our German citizens have also organized a society for the
relief of the poor, many are holding back expecting harder times ahead.
What has caused this state of things?
We have seen provisions one hundred per cent. dearer and scarcer than at
present and no want—the year is opening with good prospect—then why this
want? It comes from demagogism and
disunion. We would suffer quietly
all that is upon us if our liberties were suffering, but we will find we have
gained nothing in the end. We are one of the hopeful kind, and have always held up our
city in bright collors [sic] to induce the stranger hither, but now we do not
wish to deceive people at home or abroad, and we wish our people to be awake to
the dangers gathering about us.
TRI-WEEKLY ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], February 15,
1861, p. 3, c. 2
Some persons have been told that it would be dangerous to vote
"against secession." We
can not imagine where the danger will come from unless it be assassination or a
resort to mob or lynch law.
TRI-WEEKLY ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], February 15,
1861, p. 3, c. 2
The Women of the North.—Where is their places in the coming contest?
Southern women are already begining [sic] to scrape lint and embroider
flags with energy, but the women of the North have no spirit for such work, no
sympathy with this conflict. They have loved and still love the union—the Union—the
whole union. With them there is no
North, no South, no East, no West.
In a holy cause, they could, like the Spartan women of old, buckle the
armor onto their sons and husbands and tell them to return "with it, or on
it!" But they have no stomach
for this fight. Calmly, tamely, and
helplessly they must look on, while the "wreck of empires and the crush of
worlds" goes on around them! They
cannot arm brother against brother—the [sic] can only, like Mr. Buchanan,
"go pray." God grant that
their prayers avail.—[Dill's Gazette.
TRI-WEEKLY ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], February 19,
1861, p. 3, c. 1
Arrival of Col. Waite.—Col. Waite arrived in the city to-day (Monday)
with a small escort of Cavalry.
Orders from Gen. Twiggs.—We learn that Gen. Twiggs has ordered all the
regular troops to abandon the forts and march to the coast where they will have
shipment.
Indians at Fort Cobb.—There are 3000 Indians at Fort Cobb who are at
present receiving rations from the federal government, they will soon be turned
loose to make their living upon our frontier.
With 3000 Indians on our frontier and Cortina on the Rio Grande Texas
will have her hands full.
False Rumors and Impressions.—We do not wonder that false impressions
of our city should be held abroad since learning from several of the strangers
now in our city, that letters have been received in the adjacent counties,
stating that there were but 140 sound men in San Antonio, that it was an
awful abolition hole, and that our city was barricaded with canon [sic] planted
at every street. Of course a great
many who came here under these false reports will go back with their eyes
slightly open.
The Wounded.—The battle on Saturday had its killed and wounded, like
all other great engagements, and though not quite equal in magnitude and
grandeur to the battle of New Orleans, was nearly as sanguinary. During the heat of the contest a double baorelled [sic] shot
gun "went off," wounding five warriors and one man of peace, besides
killing one horse. Some of the
wounded left on Sunday morning for their homes.
In spite of the crowd lately in our city the peace has been very well
kept,--which speaks well for the majority of the "army" which lately
invaded Uncle Sam,--being quiet, orderly, gentlemen in spite of their bad
politics.
TRI-WEEKLY ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], February 19, 1861, p. 3, c. 2
A Sad Day to San
Antonio.
Evacuation of the
U. S.
Troops, Feeling of
the
People.
The reality of all the sham, farce and incipient tragedy of Saturday did
not develop itself until the evacuation of the U. S. Troops, which took place
about 4 o'clock P.M.
A large concourse of citizens had collected to bid the troops good bye
and when the two companies under the command of Maj. Smith and Capt. King
marched out with colors flying and band playing the national airs, and the old
bullet-riddled and war-stained banner of the 8th regiment floating in
the breeze, there was a most profound sensation amongst the people—strongmen
wept and hung their heads in shame. We
have never seen so much feeling evinced on any occasion.
The people cheered the troops all along the streets and many followed
them to the head of the San Pedro, where they encamped.
After this scene has passed off our city settled down into a sullen
gloom.
Our citizens feel humiliated and sorrowful, and there are few men who can
trust their eyes in their neighbor's face.
And is there an American, we ask, who would not feel humiliated thus to
see the glory of his country departing.
TRI-WEEKLY ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], February 19, 1861, p. 3, c. 2
Taking of the
United States
Property.
It is impossible for us to give anything like a full and definite
description of what has just transpired in our midst.
Uncle Sam, who has lived long among us and behaved himself well, has been
handed his walking papers by major Ben. McCulloch, at the head of 400 troops,
under orders from the Safety Committee; and all we have to say in regard
thereto, is that we think it injudicious in the extreme—a grand electioneering
trick—and that the Committee of Safety have removed, the "safety
valve" from our engine of government, and that the first time we get on too
much steam we will burst our boiler.
TRI-WEEKLY ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], February 19, 1861, p. 3, c. 4
Read!! Read!
Now is the time to adorn your beautiful residence with
Fruit Trees and Shrubbery.
Mr. A. Mareschal, on the Alamo Plaza, offers for sale the following list of
Fruit Trees:
200 Peach and Apricot trees.
100 Cherry
"
700 Apple
"
700 Pear
"
300 Grape
"
150 assorted Rose bushes, &c., &c.
All these trees were imported since one and two years, direct from one of
the best Nurseries in France, being now acclimated to the Texas soil.
Purchasers in marking their trees in the Nursery of A. Mareschal, can
have or leave at any convenient time. Do
not forget to call at
A. Mareschal,
at the Alamo Plaza.
TRI-WEEKLY ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], February 20,
1861, p. 2, c. 5
The "Secret" Committee on Public "Safety," we
understand, have the power of issuing Passports.
It is said that some of them have granted permission to travel from one
county to another. "Have you a
pass?" If not it may be
necessary that you should procure one before you travel on business or pleasure.
It may be "dangersome" for you to leave home without a
"pass." These are
wonderful times when freemen have to be vouched for before they can go to
market, to town or out cow hunting.—[Intelligencer.
TRI-WEEKLY ALAMO EXPRESS [San Antonio, TX], February 20,
1861, p. 3, c. 1
"Young America" Not Dead Yet—Young America seems to have been
entirely overlooked during all the late excitement; perhaps he has been too busy
"getting up in the world" by means of stilts, they being all the rage.
But we saw a display on Tuesday last which convinced us that "Young
America" is but just waking up to the awful realities now being enacted.
A company of youngsters, with wooden guns and the "Flag of our
Union" floating proudly in the breeze, paraded our streets, going through a
course o tactics decidedly amusing and burlesque—"grounding arms"
&c. They marched b